Eating Disorder Awareness Week

February 25, 2014

Hundreds of thousands of students, both male and female, across the country exhibit one or more symptoms of eating disorders.

CSJ will offer screenings between 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the CSJ Dining Hall. Students may also schedule an appointment for a screening confidentially through Counseling Services at another time. While the screenings are not diagnostic, they will leave you better informed and clear on whether a visit to a clinician is warranted.

There are different reasons why eating disorders happen, and different forms they can take (bulimia, anorexia, over-eating, over-exercising etc.). One thing they all have in common is that they can have very serious consequences – not just on a student’s studies but for their physical and mental well-being.

In addition to abnormal eating and weight issues, people with eating disorders have an increased risk of developing other psychiatric illnesses. Studies show that depression occurs in up to 50 percent of people with eating disorders and appears to be strongly linked to the abnormal eating behavior. (Read more on this from Rogers Memorial Hospital.)

How do you know when there is cause for concern? Look for the following warning signs from Eating Recovery Center, which may indicate an eating disorder.

Evidence of binge-eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time and evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting and presence of laxatives or diuretics.

Creation of complex lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions and/or an excessive, rigid exercise regimen – despite weather, fatigue, illness or injury.

Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area, a discoloration or staining of the teeth, and/or calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting.

Warning signs of bulimia nervosa

Evidence of binge-eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time and evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting and presence of laxatives or diuretics.

Creation of complex lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions and/or an excessive, rigid exercise regimen – despite weather, fatigue, illness or injury.

Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area, a discoloration or staining of the teeth, and/or calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting.